Bangladesh National Savings Scheme 2025 offers the highest profit rate for 5-year Sanchayapatra compared to all its previous versions. Both the rate of return at maturity and on encashment have seen notable increases. Additionally, the investment limit has been significantly raised. On January 21, the National Savings Department published a notice confirming the continuation of tax at source on its official website. Consequently, savings certificate holders now better understand their entitled amount at maturity or upon early encashment. Let’s explore the new profit structure of the 5-Year Bangladesh Savings Certificate (Sanchayapatra) in detail. 5-year Bangladesh Savings Certificates’ Updated Return on Investment The profit payable upon encashment and maturity at different investment limits under this 5-year scheme is detailed in the table below: Table: Profit Rates for Various Investment Limits in the 5-Year Bangladesh Savings Scheme Investment Period (Year) Investments Up to BDT 7,50,000 Investments BDT 7,50,001 and Above TDS on Investment up to BDT 5,00,000 (%) Profit Rate (%) TDS on Investment from BDT 5,00,001 to 7,50,000 (%) Profit Rate (%) TDS (%) Profit Rate (%) 1st 5 10.13 10 10.13 10 10.11 2nd 10.64 10.64 10.62 3rd 11.19 11.19 11.17 4th 11.78 11.78 11.75 5th 12.40 12.40  12.37 For investors who buy Bangladesh Sanchayapatra up to BDT 7.5 lakh (7,50,000 or below) ceiling, the maximum profit will be given at an annual rate of 12.4 percent (12.4%). For investments exceeding BDT 7.5 lakh (7,50,001 and above), the maximum profit rate decreases slightly to 12.37 percent. Read more: 3-Monthly Profit-Bearing Sanchayapatra in Bangladesh: Revised Profit Rates in 2025 The source tax on profits varies based on the investment threshold. For investments up to BDT 5 lakh (5,00,000 or below), a 5% tax applies. However, for amounts surpassing BDT 5 lakh (5,00,001 or above), the applicable tax rate is 10%. If cashed out before the expiry date, the principal amount will be returned along with profit calculated at the relevant rate for each elapsed period as mentioned in the table. In the case of early encashments, for investors with up to BDT 5 lakh (5,00,000 or below), the annual interest rate will be 10.13 percent at the end of the first year. At the end of the second year, this return will be 10.64 percent. By the third year, the interest rate will be 11.19 percent; after the fourth year, it will reach 11.78 percent. For investments above BDT 5 lakh and up to 7.5 lakhs (BDT 5,00,001 - 7,50,000), the encashment results in a profit of 10.13 percent in the first year. At the end of the second, third, and fourth years, the profit rate will be charged at 10.64 percent, 11.19 percent, and 11.78 percent respectively. In all cases, a 10 percent source tax will be imposed on the profit. Read more: Paribar Sanchayapatra 2025: Revised profit rates of Family Savings Certificate in Bangladesh For investments exceeding BDT 7.5 lakh (7,50,001 and above), the 10 percent source tax on profit remains unchanged. In cases of early encashment, the annual profit will be calculated at a rate of 10.11 percent for the first year. This rate increases to 10.62 percent in the second year. For the third and fourth years, the profit rate rises further to 11.17 percent and 11.75 percent, respectively. Eligibility Criteria for the New Profit Rate The revised profit rate applies exclusively to investments in 5-year Bangladesh Savings Certificates made on or after January 1, 2025. Who Can Apply for This Savings Scheme - All Bangladeshi citizens irrespective of profession- Provident funds will be acknowledged or administered by the following rules:    o Sub-rule (2) under the rule of 49 of the Income-tax Acts 1984 (Part-II)    o Provident Funds Act, 1925 (19th Act of 1925)- Income from the following sources (certified by the concerned Deputy Commissioner of Taxes) according to the 34th section of Part A of Schedule 6 of the Income-tax Ordinance-1984:    o Seed production and Marketing of locally produced seeds    o Fruit and leafy vegetable cultivation    o Production of pelleted poultry feeds    o Poultry farms    o Cattle farms and Dairy and dairy farms    o Fishery farms    o Frog production farms    o Silkworm rearing farms    o Mushroom production    o Horticulture farm projects- Educational institutions for individuals with autism, or any other organization providing services to autistic individuals (must be certified by the relevant district social services office). A key requirement for profit distribution is that all income generated from the institution's investments must be exclusively used for the benefit of autistic individuals.- Orphanages, foster homes, or registered shelters established for the care of orphaned and destitute children.  - Dedicated and registered shelters for the elderly. Read more: Sanchayapatra interest rate revised: New profit rates of Bangladesh National Savings Certificate in 2025 Highest Ceiling - For Individuals: A limit of BDT 30 lakh for a single account and BDT 60 lakh for a joint account. - For Institutions: 50% of the total provident fund balance, with not more than BDT 50 crore. - For Firms: A maximum cap of BDT 2 crore. - For Institutions supporting Autism, Registered Shelters for Orphans, Destitute Children.  - Elderly: A maximum limit of BDT 5 crore. Additional Benefits - Investors have the option to appoint a nominee. - Upon the investor's death, the nominated individual can either encash the scheme or wait until maturity. Read more: Sanchayapatra at Maturity: Encashment or Renewal of Bangladesh’s National Savings Certificate Summing Up Investments of up to BDT 7,50,000 in 5-Year Bangladesh Sanchayapatra will yield a maximum profit rate of 12.4 percent at maturity. For investments going beyond BDT 7,50,000, the net profit rate is capped at 12.37 percent. In 5-year Bangladesh Savings Certificates, two distinct categories exist for investments within the BDT 7.5 lakh limit, based on the source tax applied to the profit. A 5% tax is levied on investments up to BDT 5 lakh, while a 10% tax is applied to amounts exceeding BDT 5 lakh. Moreover, early redemption provides higher returns this year compared to previous periods. Read more: How to Buy Sanchayapatra in Bangladesh: A Beginner's Guide

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Bangladesh in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, has concluded a two-day annual portfolio review workshop in Dhaka. The workshop brought together about 100 participants, including government officials, development partners, implementing agencies, technical specialists and IFAD country and regional teams, to assess the performance of IFAD investment in Bangladesh, focusing on aligning of IFAD Country Strategic Opportunities Programme 2023-2028 with government priorities and its relevance in the current the socio-economic and political context. Report: IFAD expands its climate finance for more resilient rural populations “Despite many successes, challenges remain, and the workshop allows us to share ideas, learn from one another, and identify pragmatic ways to make a greater impact on the lives of the people we work for”, said Valantine Achancho, IFAD country director for Bangladesh. This portfolio review workshop is an opportunity for IFAD and the government to come together and reflect on what they have achieved, while also looking ahead to the work that remains under IFAD’s strategic framework, he said. "Over the past year, we have made significant progress in improving food production, enhancing market access, building climate resilience in communities, and promoting inclusion in rural Bangladesh,” he added. IFAD has long been a trusted partner of Bangladesh, and they share a common commitment to improving the livelihoods of rural communities. "Initiatives such as this workshop provide a valuable opportunity for a comprehensive review of our mutual commitments, enabling us to assess the successes and identify areas requiring more focused intervention. This collaborative exercise further reinforces our partnership with IFAD to effectively leverage our collective resources for sustained impact," said Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD), Ministry of Finance. New climate finance goal must empower small-scale farmers: IFAD President The workshop provided an engaging platform for in-depth discussions and critical assessments of ongoing IFAD-financed projects in Bangladesh. Participants delved into the key indicators, analyzing progress and performance, while giving particular attention to cross cutting themes such as nutrition, monitoring and evaluation, knowledge management, and social, environmental, and climate assessment procedures. The workshop sessions included insightful presentations highlighting the achievements of 2024 and collaborative discussions to shape strategic plans for 2025, aimed at delivering meaningful outcomes for rural communities. Development partners and co-financiers also participated in discussions about resource mobilization and enhancing cooperation to unlock more opportunities for rural development projects. Reehana Raza, IFAD’s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, addressed the participants virtually, underscoring the importance of continuous dialogue and collaboration in strengthening the development impact of IFAD-financed projects in Bangladesh. The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks and a commitment from all stakeholders to work collaboratively towards achieving the goals set for 2025 and beyond, with a steadfast focus on keeping rural people at the center of all investments and initiatives led by IFAD.

The United Arab Emirates-based DP World and Denmark-based A.P. Moller–Maersk, on Thursday expressed interests in making big investments in Bangladesh's shipping industry to help the country build new ports along the coast of the Bay of Bengal and become a major global export hub. A.P. Moller - Maersk is a Danish shipping and logistics company while DP World is a leading provider of smart logistics solutions, enabling the flow of trade across the globe. The two leading companies came up with the proposals when Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DP World, and Robert Maersk Uggla, Chair of A.P. Moller–Maersk, met Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in the Swiss city during the World Economic Forum annual meeting. Dr Yunus invited the DP World and A.P. Moller–Maersk officials to visit Dhaka with concrete investment proposals. Dhaka, Beijing "must cooperate wholeheartedly" to resolve Rohingya crisis: Foreign Adviser tells Shanghai Seminar "We have to build a series of ports along the coast of the Bay of Bengal to use our full potential as a regional business hub," said the Chief Adviser, welcoming FDI for capacity building of Bangladesh ports. DP World CEO said they want to invest in New Mooring Container Terminal, aiming to reduce congestion in Chattogram Port, reduce emissions and boost the efficiency of the port. The CEO of the UAE-based logistics company expressed optimism that investment in the New Mooring Container Terminal would help Bangladesh attract more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and reduce pollution. It happened in every country where DP World invested, Sulayem told the Chief Adviser, adding that they also wanted to invest in Bangladesh in 2022 but were snubbed by the then government, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary told UNB. Sulayem said that they also want to introduce a digital online customs procedure in Chittagong Port, which would help reduce corruption drastically.

President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a $20 billion investment for data centers in the United States by an Emirati company led by billionaire Hussain Sajwani, a close business partner of the Trump family. The investment by DAMAC Properties in the United Arab Emirates is intended to highlight Trump's personal ability to attract new money for big projects. The announcement follows a pledge made last month by the Japanese billionaire investor Masayoshi Son, while at Trump's side, to invest $100 billion in the United States. Trump said at a news conference that he believed Sajwani made the commitment because “he was very inspired by the election and wouldn't do it without the election.” The president-elect emphasized his plans to get investments of $1 billion or more through the environmental regulatory review process quickly. Following Trump, Sajwani briefly joined the news conference and said: “It’s been amazing news for me and my family when he was elected in November.” Sajwani's promised investment feeds into an existing boom for constructing data centers used in the development of artificial intelligence and expansion of cryptocurrency, as well as in other elements of an increasingly digital economy that relies on having greater sources of computer processing power. Trump tries again to get Friday's hush money sentencing called off While Trump has sought to portray these announcements as a source of newfound energy in the U.S. economy, the $20 billion commitment is also a sign that wealthy investors close to Trump can profit off that relationship, given the already significant investment in new data centers. In October, the financial company Blackstone estimated that the U.S. would see $1 trillion invested in data centers over five years, with another $1 trillion being committed internationally. The commitment made by Sajwani could represent just 2% of the total expected domestic investment in the sector. Sajwani would gain data centers in the United States, which thus far have not been part of his company's EDGNEX data center portfolio. According to the company's website, it already has or plans to build data centers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Spain, Thailand and Indonesia. DAMAC Properties is one of the top private developers in the skyscraper-studded city-state in the United Arab Emirates. The property developer has been a Trump partner. Under Sajwani, DAMAC built the Trump International Golf Club at a massive development in the city’s desert outskirts just before Trump first entered the White House. DAMAC also paid a licensing fee worth millions back to the Trump Organization, following a pattern the president-elect's company has used in developments both in the U.S. and abroad. There had been plans for another DAMAC development further in the desert that would have a Trump-named golf course. However, DAMAC later dropped plans for the golf course at the development. Also, discussions for a promised $2 billion in deals between DAMAC and the Trump Organization after his first electoral win in 2016 never materialized. Sajwani has said that Trump's initial election to the presidency helped increase the profile of his company. Since Trump’s re-election in November, Sajwani has been seen at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. He posted a picture standing between a seated Trump and billionaire Elon Musk at a New Year’s Eve celebration. However, the Trump Organization since has been involved with Dar Global, a Saudi-funded real estate firm that’s building a Trump-branded golf course in Oman and Trump projects in Saudi Arabia. There are plans for a Trump Tower in Dubai as well, though previous plans for a Trump Tower on Dubai’s man-made Palm Jumeirah archipelago fell apart during the city’s financial crisis that began in 2008.

European Investment Bank (EIB) Vice-President Nicola Beer on Tuesday said they find the current situation in Bangladesh "stable" for their investment in priority sectors. "The current situation I see... It's stable for investment. So, we go on with what we already decided together. So, this was the reason why I was speaking about further signatures during this year's time," she told reporters while responding to a question at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after her first meeting with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at his office. But of course, Beer said, it is up to the Bangladeshi citizens and bodies to decide on the moment of elections and of the power then in Parliament afterwards. The EIB Vice President said she can only express from the side of the European investment Bank group that they are "backing" this interim government and they are looking together with the different ministries and sectors, which investments they now can also speed up. They also talked about the priorities of investments in Bangladesh to deliver. "I'm quite optimistic that we will see through the signatures during this year to come on important projects, especially in the sector of water and sanitation," she added. "I think we are quite near when it comes up for the programme of the interim government to reform and lead it to elections, quite soon," Beer said. EIB VP Beer begins Bangladesh tour to strengthen ties with interim govt She said she is really happy now to be here in Dhaka to hear firsthand from the different ministries, but also from economy leaders and citizens groups about the challenges and about their own plans for the future of the country. "I hope we can deliver together, especially with the support of the European Union. So I'm very happy that the ambassador is with us who is very well connected here in the country and gives us valuable insights," Beer said. "I only can assure you that the European Union as a whole is standing behind this interim government together with the Bangladeshi people, to serve the Bangladeshi citizens for the future to come," she added. Responding to a question from the UNB correspondent, Beer said energy is a very important part of it. "We have a framework loan, we want to bring it really down now also in the project and this is something we will look further and try to speed up." In today's meeting they discussed international relations, how they can place this country also in the region as a strong nation on an equal footing. "We reaffirm the support of the European Union and also of its bank as European Investment Bank. And now we'll see the different projects and maybe also new proposals with the other ministries and sectors. So maybe you ask me in two days’ time," Beer said. She began her three-day visit on Tuesday to review existing partnerships, discuss various issues and explore expanded investment cooperation with the interim government. Ambassador of the European Union to Bangladesh Michael Miller, among others, accompanied her during the meeting with Adviser Hossain. "A number of meetings have been lined up, including a meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus," a senior official told UNB on Monday. European countries: CA's press wing shares progress on visa issues Vice-President Beer, during her stay in Dhaka, will also hold meetings with Finance and Planning Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources; Railways Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Water resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur to discuss wide range of issues, officials at the relevant ministers said while speaking to the UNB correspondent. She will also have a breakfast meeting with the representatives of the KfW, AfD, ADB, IMF, WB, IFC and JICA. The Vice President will have an interaction over dinner with the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (EuroCham). She is likely to visit Ghandharbpur Water Treatment Plant on Thursday before wrapping up her visit. The EIB, owned by the 27 EU member states, is the world's largest multilateral financial institution and serves as the European Union's investment bank. Vice-President Beer oversees policy priorities, critical raw materials, EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and financing operations in South, Southeast and East Asia. While climate action is a big part of EIB activities, it also focuses on the environment, development, innovation and skills, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), infrastructure and cohesion. Govt trying to make things easy for investors: Foreign Adviser Prof Yunus recently urged the European Union (EU) to extend support to Bangladesh to transform its energy sector. “We look forward to your cooperation on that…we also talked to other countries to provide us support for transformation of our energy sector,” he said during an interactive session with the diplomats of European countries, stationed in Dhaka and New Delhi last month. Chief Adviser Prof Yunus said the environment is, of course, a top priority for them. Bangladesh is a victim of environmental degradation that is taking place, Prof Yunus said, adding, “In one area, I get very interested – renewable energy”. The EIB finances and invests both through equity and debt solutions companies and projects that achieve the policy aims of the European Union through loans, equity and guarantees. Since its establishment in 1958, the EIB has invested over a trillion euros in projects in Europe and countries worldwide.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday urged the country’s business community and entrepreneurs to come forward to strengthen its export base with more investment in the services sector to boost overall exports to the competitive global market. “We need to enhance our exports. I urge all businesspeople to come forward to invest more in the services sector in addition to products to boost our exports,” he said while inaugurating the 29th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF)-2025 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre at Purbachal. Highlighting the importance of entrepreneurs’ role, Dr Yunus said developing an exportable product is important but it is more important to know who developed the product. The Chief Adviser said every year there is an initiative to announce a “Product of the Year” and this year furniture product is the product of the year. In addition to this process, Dr Yunus said, he wants to introduce “Entrepreneur of the Year” to let everyone know who is behind the product. The Chief Adviser highlighted the government’s initiative to promote Bangladesh’s products in the global market with its diversified presence. He said Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) has already secured a leading position in the global apparel market. Read: Month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair to open Wednesday Dr Yunus said the export trade is playing a significant role in cutting poverty and unemployment in addition to earning foreign currencies. “It’s playing an important role in strengthening Bangladesh’s economy.” He formally inaugurated the month-long fair.  Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin was, among others, present. Like the previous years, the Ministry of Commerce and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) have jointly organised the fair. The spaces for stalls or pavilions of various categories have been allocated online for the first time in this trade fair. The e-ticketing system has also been arranged for the first time in the fair. Apart from this, BRTC's dedicated bus service would be available alongside Uber service at a special discount to facilitate the travel of buyers and visitors to and from the fair venue. Besides, "July Chattar" and "Chhatrish Chattar" were created at the fair venue in honor of the sacrifices of students in the anti-discrimination students' movement. A Youth Pavilion has also been set up to encourage the youth folk of the country in export trade. Initiatives have been taken this year to organize potential sector/product wise seminars at the fair. There will be separate sourcing corners, electronics and furniture zones for the convenience of foreign entrepreneurs and participants. Technology corner has been installed for the convenience of the age-based visitors while seating corner will be there for senior citizens. Read more: Dhaka Int’l trade fair begins Sunday There is also a children's park in the fair for ensuring pure entertainment. The trade fair is being held for the fourth time in a row at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal. According to the layout plan of the fair, some 361 pavilions/stalls/restaurants of different categories have been allocated in favor of local producing and exporters firms, general business establishments and foreign business entities in a cent percent transparent manner.

The country risks plunging into an economic crisis in the coming days if the government fails to accelerate public and private investments within the shortest possible time, analysts have warned. According to Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, private investment remains stagnant in the country. “At present the stagnant situation of private investment is going on, this is due to instability and political insecurity and indiscipline,” he said recently during a briefing on ECNEC meeting. According to sources in the Planning and Finance Ministry, the country is now facing challenging times in sustaining production in the private sector. Already RMG and other factories in the private sector have faced serious instability and disruption of production due to various types of movement including labour movement. “There is no interest at all (from the private investors) in investment in the private sector,” the planning adviser had told the briefing. Meanwhile, the accelerating interest rate on bank lending caused another trouble for the economy as this acceleration put barriers for the private investors to take loans from the banks. “As a result, the investors are not showing interest in going for new investments,” Wahiduddin said. Bangladesh Bank on October 22 hiked the policy or repo rate further by 50 basis points to 10 percent in its efforts to rein in inflation, which has been stubbornly high for the last two years. Banks borrow from the central bank at the repo rate. The latest hike comes in less than a month after the BB increased the repo rate to 9.50 percent from the previous 9 percent. The general point-to-point inflation rate in Bangladesh rose in November reaching 11.38 percent, up from 10.87 percent in October 2024. This rate is the highest in the last four months. According to the latest data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the increase was driven by a rise in food inflation, which jumped to 13.80 percent from 12.66 percent. Meanwhile, non-food inflation showed a slight rise of 9.39 percent from 9.34 percent in November. The general point-to-point inflation rate both in urban and rural areas also increased last month. The point-to-point inflation in rural areas in November was 11.53 percent which was 11.26 percent in October. The food inflation in the rural areas was 13.41 percent in November from 12.75 percent in October while the non-food item was 9.72 percent in November from 9.72 percent in October. On the other hand, the point-to-point inflation rate in urban areas in November was 11.37 percent which was 10.44 percent in October. The food inflation in November was 14.63 percent which was 12.53 percent in October while the non-food item in November was 9.31 percent which was 9.06 in October.   The wage rate index in November was 8.10 percent which was 8.07 percent in October 2024. On the other hand, the review meeting of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) monetary policy committee (MPC) has decided not to increase the policy interest rate for the time being. The committee acknowledged that although inflation remains elevated, the monetary policy stance is on the right track and there is no immediate need to raise the policy rate further. The MPC assessed the current macroeconomic situation, challenges, and outlook from domestic and global perspectives. Moreover, the MPC focused on reviewing the current inflation trend and outlook, economic activities and growth prospects, recent financial market developments, and developments in the external sector. Specifically, the MPC extensively reviewed the overall banking sector's liquidity situation, particularly the cash flow shortage of some conventional as well as Islamic banks, interest rate trends, the foreign exchange reserve position, and exchange rate developments. Read: Investment in education must be increased to overhaul the system: Dr Salimullah Khan The committee anticipates that inflation will likely decrease due to the downward trend in the global price outlook, moderation in geopolitical tensions, the stability in our exchange rate, the expected good harvest of Aman paddy, and the increasing supply of winter season vegetables. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Bank (BB) has fixed the maximum interest rate on credit cards at 25 percent from 20 percent after banks insisted the central bank raise the rate to recover operation costs. According to the BB, banks will be able to charge a maximum interest of 25 percent from credit card customers. So far, the maximum interest limit was 20 percent. The planning ministry officials apprehended that as the private investment is remaining stalled and public investment is experiencing lowest ever, the economy of the country might go through a tough time in the coming days, “If the public expenditure does not improve also then there would be an economic recession in the country,” the planning adviser had said in the briefing. During the first four months of the current fiscal year, from July to October, the ADP implementation rate stood at only around 8%, the lowest figure in recent years, according to the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) of the Planning Ministry. Read more: Foreign Adviser calls for increased Norwegian investment in Bangladesh Its data highlights that, in contrast, the same period last year saw an execution rate of 11.54%.  Specifically, for the period from July to October of the current fiscal year, the government managed to implement development projects worth Tk 21,978 crore, according to the IMED. Finance Ministry sources said that as the stagnant situation is on and the inflation is increasing, employment generation will suffer whether the economy does not see any expansion in the coming days. They mentioned that middle income group and lower middle income group are experiencing the worst of this inflation. The planning commission officials hoped that while stability will come in the economy, the private investors will step forward with their investments.

The reform of the education system should be gradual, not revolutionary, and requires time. To bring about changes in the education system, investment in education must be increased, and educational opportunities should be provided to all. The state must take responsibility for the cost, curriculum, and language of education. These points were made during a dialogue titled "Post-People's Uprising Thoughts on Education—What Kind of Education System Do We Want?" held at the RC Majumdar Auditorium of Dhaka University on Friday afternoon, organized by the Samajtantrik Chhatra Front. Professor and writer Salimullah Khan stated during the discussion that if we want to bring about changes in the education system, investment in education must be increased, and the state must take on that responsibility. He emphasized that the real issue in education is how long we will consider education a right, what the curriculum will be, and in what language education will be delivered. He added that even if education is universal and everyone’s rights are protected, inequality will still persist. For this reason, the democratic form of education would be nationalization. The state must take responsibility for the cost, curriculum, and language of education. He further said that everyone should have access to education and that the teacher-student ratio must be changed. Read: AKDN's resident representative discusses education and climate change initiatives with Foreign Adviser Associate Professor Samina Lutfa of the Department of Sociology at Dhaka University stated that the reform of the education system should not be revolutionary, but should happen gradually. The reform cannot be accomplished quickly, so experienced educators should be involved in the process. She said that teaching is not like a typical 9am to 5pm job; it is a 24-hour responsibility, and teachers should be provided with the necessary environment to perform their duties. She further emphasized that for real change to take place, students need to be involved in extracurricular activities such as sports and various cultural and literary events, and that diversity is important. The infrastructure of schools and colleges, along with the role of teachers, are crucial in this process. Professor Kamrul Hasan Mamun of the Department of Physics at Dhaka University commented that political stories have been included in the textbooks of children in the country’s education system. Political messages and images have been added to the back covers of books. The inclusion of politics in children’s books is something not found in any other country. He also mentioned that various education streams, including Bengali, English, Madrassa, and technical education, exist in the country, but there is no common platform for them. He pointed out that those who study in English-medium schools are expected to pursue "export-quality" education, while those studying in Bengali-medium schools aim to take the BCS exam. This divide has emerged in the education system. He added that there has been a rush to establish universities in districts under the name of development. Unqualified individuals have been made teachers in these universities. However, he noted that Bangladesh has never had a sufficient number of qualified teachers in its 161 universities. Navine Murshid, a teacher at a private university, said that the kind of education system they want is one where students can think critically. Critical thinking should be the foundation of any education system. Read more:Private institution teachers to get transfer opportunity: Education Adviser Other speakers at the dialogue included writer and editor Rakhal Raha, and senior teacher Shamiem Zaman from Muhammad Shahidullah Adarsha Higher Secondary Institution.

Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has called for increased Norwegian investment in Bangladesh. He said this when the newly appointed Ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh, Håkon Arald Gulbransen, paid his first courtesy call on the foreign adviser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday morning. The focus of the discussion centered around the strengthening of bilateral ties and increased Norwegian investment in Bangladesh. During the meeting, the foreign adviser highlighted the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries and welcomed Norwegian support to Bangladesh’s Interim Government. He underscored the significant reform initiatives currently underway in the country, particularly in the areas of democracy, governance, and the economy. The economy of Bangladesh is resilient, said Touhid. He encouraged more Norwegian investment in Bangladesh, particularly in prospective sectors such as ICT, renewable energy, and electronics. Read: Norway sees “great potential” in Bangladesh He further pointed to the ongoing government efforts in improving the business environment, including the introduction of the effective ‘One Stop Service’ to facilitate foreign investments. Ambassador Gulbransen, echoed the positive sentiment, stating that the relationship between the two nations has evolved from a development partnership to a more trade-centric one. "Norway sees great potential in Bangladesh," he said. He pointed out the significant presence of Telenor in the country, expressing a desire for enhanced business-to-business ties moving forward. On the issue of human rights, Foreign Adviser Touhid reaffirmed the Interim Government’s commitment to improving protection. He said Bangladesh acceded to the ‘International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances’ in August and shared the news that Bangladesh had recently been elected Vice President of the UN Human Rights Council. The Foreign Adviser assured the Norwegian Ambassador of the full support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in carrying out his duties and wished him a productive and successful tenure ahead.

The head of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has invited China-based manufacturers to invest in Bangladesh in the wake of the post-election development. Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, the Executive Chairman of the BIDA, wrote an "open letter" to investors in China, saying that Bangladesh was now ready to emerge as a potential destination for manufacturers planning to relocate or diversify their footprints. "The post-election developments in the US signal big increases in tariffs and duties for China-based manufacturers," Chowdhury, a former senior banker with HSBC, writes. "In this context, we extend an open invitation to our investor friends in China and are committed to supporting them in navigating the evolving landscape. We see potential in industries like garments, electronics, solar value chain, and automotive. We are committed to tailoring a favourable investment environment for the investors with attractive incentive programs and benefits," he said. The BIDA chief who met at least 200 CEOs of multinational and local companies last month, said contrary to what some political experts were predicting, Bangladesh economy is set to benefit hugely in the new Trump presidency. "We are already witnessing quite a lot of interest from China based manufacturers seeking to diversify their risks and manufacturing bases," he said. China, a long-standing partner of Bangladesh and, in 2022, has become Bangladesh's largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Chowdhury said this trend will accelerate once the new Trump administration takes over in January 2025. Prioritising quality and global standards can be Bangladesh’s path to post-LDC success: Strategy paper He said he has been following the regional expansion of Chinese manufacturers in the last decade and was fortunate to support them in his previous capacity as an investment banker. "With the new US political landscape, the trend is likely to grow." Bangladesh is keen to "welcome" these investors with tailored solutions. "That's my commitment as the chief marketing officer of Bangladesh," he writes.